Davidsbündler

The Davidsbündler were a 1833 by Robert Schumann to life the called fictitious circle of artists living and deceased artists. The survivors met regularly in Leipzig Premises For Arabian Coffee Tree.

They called themselves, in contrast to the Philistines, the Philistines represented in their eyes, Davidsbündler. In the tradition of this time very popular secret societies all members wore fancy name.

Robert Schumann, the most important Davidsbündler, called frequently Jeanquirit or Julius. A major role played Schumann's fictitious personifications Florestan and Eusebius.

Patron saint of Davidsbündler was the Biblical David, the winning singer and conqueror of the greatest Philistine. After a fictional utterance Florestan it was the task of Davidsbündler that they " are to slay the Philistines, musical and other ". Their aim was to turn away from the old, conservative points of view and to open up new avenues for artistic forms of music and art.

Even people who never participated in the events of the Davidsbündler were included by Schumann and given fancy names, for example

• Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy ( = Meritis )
• Ernestine von Fricken ( = Estrella ), Schumann's fiancée the years 1834/35
• Clara Wieck ( = Zilia or Chiara or Chiarina ), Schumann's fiancee and later wife
• Friedrich Wieck ( = Master Raro ), Clara's father
• Sophie Kaskel ( = Sarah ), pianist.

Schumann also expecting significant composers of the past to the Davidsbündlern, as Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert.

" The Davidic covenant is only a spiritual, romantic ... Mozart was as great a bundler than Berlioz is now. "

The Federation and its members have played in Schumann's works always a role, for example in the Davidsbündlertänzen, op 6, Carnaval op 9 and the Piano Sonata in F sharp minor, Op 11